THE BULLPEN

Baseball season is just around the corner. Mrs. Black-N-Gold can't wait to raise the Jollly Roger. Today, she looks at one of the players to watch for your 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates, RH Gerrit Cole. Gerrit was selected #1 overall in the 2011 MLB Draft out of UCLA and quickly rose through the ranks of the Pirates minor league system. Gerrit was named the #9 overall best prospect by MLB.com to begin the 2013 season. He made his much-anticipated major league debut on June 11 against the defending champion San Francisco Giants. His start elicited banners and signs that read "Cole45" and "Cole Train". He was the winner in the 8-2 decision, collecting his first big league hit as well, a 2-run single. Gerrit out-dueled Rangers ace Yu Darvish on September 9 ending a 4-game losing streak for the Pirates and nailing down win #82, securing the Pirates first winning season since 1992. He was named NL Rookie of the Month for September, going 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 39 strikeouts. Gerrit started and won game 2 of the NLDS, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals. He held St. Louis to 2 hits and 1 earned run in 6 innings, striking out 5 batters. Gerrit went 10-7 on the season with a 3.22 ERA in 19 starts. He fanned 100 batters. The Pirates will look to Gerrit to be a key contributor and continue his success as he pitches his first complete season in the majors. All aboard the Cole Train! Let's Go Bucs!!!!!